Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently said that the Indian democracy was passing through its “most difficult phase” by accusing the government of “demolishing” the economy, pushing the country into an “abyss” during the poor management of the coronavirus pandemic, and failing to “honour” the Constitution. In the AICC meet chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, crimes against women and Dalits, and opposition to government’s decisions on PSUs were among the issues discussed, apart from drawing a roadmap for further agitation.

Mrs. Gandhi claimed that there was a “designed attack” on the Constitution and democratic traditions and that the country’s democracy was passing through its “most difficult phase”. Citing the contentious Farm laws 2020, Gandhi said that the country was being ruled by a government that was systematically handing over the rights of citizens to a handful of crony capitalists.

Directing an assembly of AICC Common Secretaries and state-in-charges for the first time after a major authoritative reshuffle, Mrs. Gandhi also criticized the centre over the “anti-agriculture” farm laws and oppression of the Dalits.

Beyond the political fracas, the Farm bills have attracted split opinions. While the Prime Minister has called the reforms a “watershed moment” for Indian agriculture, the opposition parties have termed them “anti-farmer” and likened them to a “death warrant”. The three farm bills — the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 were passed by Parliament recently. Subsequently, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bills. In the AICC meeting, the Congress under Mrs. Gandhi so as to continue the Farmers’ protests has decided to observe October 31 as ‘Kisan Adhikar Diwas’.

Congress, many other opposition parties, and several farmers’ organizations have been protesting against these legislations, claiming that these would harm the interests of farmers. Groups and organizations of farmers were worried as they think that this will expose them to corporates who have more bargaining power and resources than small and marginal farmers as 85% of them own less than two hectares of land. It would be difficult for the small and marginal farmers to negotiate directly with large scale buyers. They also think that the acts are more favourable towards the companies and would be illegally disempowering the farmers.

Mrs. Gandhi further alleged that a “conspiracy” has been hatched to defeat the gains of the “green revolution”. “Lives and livelihoods of crores of farm labourers, leasehold farmers, small and marginal farmers, toiling labourers and small shopkeepers are under attack. It is our solemn duty to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy,” she said.

In her opening remarks at the meeting, Sonia Gandhi took on the Prime Minister and the Centre’s handling of the coronavirus crisis in the country.   She added, “The stark truth is that a prime minister who promised to defeat corona within 21 days has abdicated his and his government’s responsibility towards the citizens”. The meeting also pointed out the failure of GOI to keep the PSUs healthy and functioning.  Congress had clearly stated in the AICC meet that it will launch an online campaign ‘SpeakUpForPSUs’ on November 14.

Talking about the nosedive and contraction in the GDP growth, Sonia Gandhi claimed that the government had at the same time “demolished” the economy built meticulously by the difficult work of individual Indians, and the vision of progressive Congress governments.

“Never has the nation seen such a free-fall in GDP. At present, the youth are left without occupations. About 14 crore employments have been misplaced. Small and medium businesses, small shop keepers, and other small enterprises are closing down at a phenomenal pace; however, a wanton government remains a quiet spectator,” the Congress president added.

Mrs Gandhi also denounced the government of coming up short to respect its sacred obligations, saying that the share of GST recompense was being denied to states. In a sharp withdrawal of its prior position, the GOI, last week, had said that the centre would borrow from the RBI to pay the GST recompense shortage of Rs 1.1 lakh crore to states. Gandhi added in retort, “How will the state governments offer assistance to the people, in case the government of India was to renege on its sacred commitments? This must be a, to begin with, an illustration of financial turmoil being spread by the central government”.

In a clear reference to the rape and forced cremation of a 19-year-old Dalit girl, who was purportedly gang-raped by four upper-caste men in Hathras, UP, Gandhi said that the outrages and oppressive stance against Dalits had come to a “new zenith”. She further asked, “Instead of respecting the law and allowing safety assurance to India’s girls, the BJP governments are siding with the hoodlums. The voice of persecuted families is being smothered by the offices of the BJP led state government. Is this the unused Raj Dharma?”

Sonia Gandhi added in her final comments, “Persistent and determined struggle for the cause of individuals is the heart and soul of the Indian National Congress.”

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness.